Short term happiness is the wrong goal. The hedonic treadmill is one reason why.
Long term life satisfaction is the correct goal.
For example, having children decreases the former yet increases the latter.
Long term life satisfaction is the correct goal.
For example, having children decreases the former yet increases the latter.
For you, maybe. This is not true for everbody.
(fwiw, I'm not saying you're wrong)
People who want to have children should have them, and people who don't want to have children shoudln't have them =)
Simply compare the two curves. Those with children vs those without.
Your comment stands if you look at outliers, GP stands if you take the curves.
Would that be bad? How?
And you are adding other factors if you think people who do not want kids are somehow the outliers. Same as if people wanted kids might be if you actually looked closely, for most people its not a very well thought out choice.
> People who want to have children should have them, and people who don't want to have children shoudln't have them =)
I think it's fine either way! People who want to have children are often disappointed when it's not all roses as they imagined. Conversely, people who don't want to have children are often surprised at the little joys they bring...
How?
And that's my fear when I get older (without kids). That the happiness of being single now and not dealing with kids and having more disposable income, etc. etc. will only go so far but that I'll be depressed about being lonely in the future when I am a senior.
I can definitely see how my siblings with kids will be way happier as grandparents.
But yeah, I'm content now without kids cause I get to sleep whenever and my disposable income is enough. lol
Also though, I'm never arrogant in making proclamations that people with kids are miserable.
They might have tough times in the beginning, but the older I get the more at peace they seem as parents.